What is an emergency physician?
Of all the medical specialties, emergency medicine may be the most demanding. Emergency physicians work any time of the day or night. In a single shift, they may see dozens of patients in a hospital emergency department. And while other specialists are expert in one field of medicine, emergency physicians are highly trained to treat all manner of diseases and injuries.
In a single shift, they may see dozens of patients in a hospital emergency department.
Versatile skills
After college, emergency physicians attend four years of medical school. Then they do three to four more years of training in a residency program at an accredited teaching hospital. These physicians are trained to recognize, evaluate, stabilize and treat people with all medical and trauma conditions. They are experts at treating both children and adults who have emergencies such as:
- Car crash injuries
- Heart attack and stroke
- Suicide attempts
- Acute problems from illnesses such as diabetes, cancer or kidney disease
- Crises related to mental illness
- Gunshot wounds
- Drug overdoses
Following the need
Wherever they work, emergency physicians are dedicated to giving the best care to people in need, when they need it most. If you have a medical emergency, you’ll be in expert hands with an emergency physician.
To learn about the Rex Emergency Department and physicians, visit rexhealth.com/emergency-services.
Sources: American Board of Emergency Medicine; American College of Emergency Physicians